Charles B. (Charles Billings) Stilson

Born in Albion, New York, in 1880, Charles Billings Stilson built a long career in journalism before becoming known to many readers for adventure and science-fiction stories. An obituary reprinted by Pulpflakes describes him as one of Rochester's longest-serving newspaper men, while reference sources such as the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction identify him as a journalist and editor as well as an author.

Stilson published serialized novels and stories for the Frank A. Munsey magazines in the early 20th century. The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction especially notes his Polaris sequence, a set of imaginative adventures often compared with the lost-world romances that were popular at the time. Project Gutenberg's author page also reflects his continuing readership, with several of his works preserved there for modern audiences.

He died in 1932, but his fiction still appeals to readers who enjoy energetic pulp storytelling, strange hidden civilizations, and the sense of wonder found in early magazine science fiction.